The Bedford Blues Podcast

Mike Rayer - Christmas Interview 2012

Sam Roberts talks to Bedford Blues Director of Rugby Mike Rayer about the Blues season so far.

Player reaction to Plymouth win at Goldington Road 06/10/12

Sam Roberts gets post match reaction from Henry Staff, Josh Bassett and Neil Cochrane after the Blues' excellent 55-17 win against third place Plymouth Albion.

Away Trip with Gregor Gillanders

Sam Roberts takes another imaginary Away Trip with a Bedford Blues favourite. This time we're in the company of the back row forward Gregor Gillanders. Into his fifth year at the club and having already passed the 100 cap mark, Gregor talks candidly about his rugby odyssey. From his incredible U20 World Cup through to the agony of his ACL injury, we delve in to the life of what many Blues fans regard as one of the finest back row players in the league. Find out which three songs he'd have to take with him on an away trip, who he'd love to have sitting next to him and why he's a big fan of Mila Kunis. Compelling listening from a man who always gives of his best in a Blues shirt!

2012/13 Preseason interview with Mike Rayer

Sam Roberts catches up with the Blues supremo ahead of the 2012/13 season. Mike talks about last year's disappointments, the new squad and looks ahead to another exciting year in the Championship.

Bedford Blues Away Trip with Brendan Burke

Another away trip from Sam Roberts on behalf of Bedford Blues Rugby. This time we travel with the emerald jewel in the Bedford back line, former Leinsterman Brendan Burke. We talk about his rugby odyssey, growing up in Ireland and his move over to England, culminating in his arrival at the Blues in 2007. We find out which three songs he'd have to take with him, about his time at Rotherham and his initial and rather short conversation with James Pritchard! A compelling away trip, with one of the Blues' most enduring and popular players of the last five years.

Bedford Blues Away Trip with Phil Boulton

Another chapter in the much awaited 'Away Trip' series. This time we get on the bus with the ever popular Bedford Blues prop forward Phil Boulton. Into his fourth season with the Blues we discuss his career journey so far, his highs and lows and also get an extremely enlightening description of a rugby changing room. We ask Phil to put forward his three favourite songs and we discover who he'd want sat next to him on this imaginary journey - space permitting! Always a treat to listen to, Phil's candour makes this one of the best Away Trips so far. Roll your socks down and jump in!

Post match reaction to the Nottingham game

Post match interviews with Brendan Burke, Sacha Harding and David Vincent.

Bedford Blues Pre-Season Podcast 2011/12

Sam Roberts takes the Blues podcast backstage at Goldington Road and talks to players and management ahead of the new 2011/12 campaign. We see how new boys Don Barrell, Neil Cochrane, Jamie Lennard and Jon Fisher are settling in, whilst we also hear from Darryl Veenendaal, Sacha Harding, Phil Boulton, Alex Rae and Blues Strength and Conditioning Coach Jamie Bain.

Post match reaction to the Saracens Friendly

Sam Roberts catches up with Blues and Saracens players right after the friendly on Friday 19th August at Goldington Road. Handre Schmidt, Tom Bedford, Alex Rae, Mouritz Botha, Jackson Wray, Jon Fisher and Jamie Lennard all talk about their feelings on the game.

Special Podcast - Interview with Nick Walshe

Bedford Blues are delighted to announce that player/coach Nick Walshe has joined the RFU Elite Rugby Department as a National Academy Coach. Walshe, 36, who joined Bedford in 2008 from Bath, will assist with the England Under 20 squad alongside Head Coach Rob Hunter. Bedford Blues Director of Rugby Mike Rayer said: "Everyone at the club is delighted for Nick and we wish him well for the future. He will be sorely missed by all of us here at Goldington Rd not just as a player and coach but also as a person as well. He has added huge value here on and off the field and developed a lot good players over the last three years. "Our loss is the RFU’s gain and I’ve no doubt that he will do an outstanding job nurturing the next generation of England Internationals. "Nick has developed as a coach extremely well since he joined us and it is a tribute to the Championship that he has been recognised for this role. This competition is proving to be a springboard not just for players but also for coaches.” Whilst at Goldington Road, Walshe was a player, coach and a mentor to the Bedford backs and also contributed massively to the Blues all-round game. A serious injury against Doncaster at the start of the 2009/10 season saw Walshe focussing heavily on coaching during his recovery and he continued to share his wealth of rugby knowledge with younger number nines such as Will Chudley and Darryl Veenendaal. In this podcast, Sam Roberts speaks to Nick Walshe about the new job and his tenure at Bedford Blues.